Basketball game

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method and visual cue located on the surface of a basketball court to assist a basketball player gauge his or her position relative to substantially the exact lateral position of the basket and, optionally, the backboard overhead.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to games, in particular, tobasketball games. The present invention provides a method, a playingsurface and visual cues, which provide improved play.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The game of basketball remains one of the most popular gamesplayed in the world at almost every level, from grammar school to theprofessional leagues. Perhaps one of the reasons the game captures theinterest of both players and spectators is the constant jockeying,action and movement under and about the basketball goal, in which bothdefensive and offensive players seek to obtain a better position fromwhich to either defend the “basket” or to make one, respectively.

[0003] One of the most important areas of the playing surface of abasketball court is “painted” area, extending from the baselineunderneath the basket to the foul line located at the circular area,known as the “key,” from which a player shoots free throws. The rules ofbasketball provide that an offensive player cannot remain in the paintedarea for more than three seconds without an attempt being made by theoffensive team to make a basket.

[0004] In my view, the most spectacular moves that an offensive ordefensive player can make are concentrated below the rim of the basket(and, obviously, above the rim of the basket in a college orprofessional basketball game). But especially in grammar and high schoollevel games, players who are still learning or developing their skillsoften find that performing the most basic offensive moves, likeexecuting a lay up, a “put back,” or a “reverse” lay up, can be thwartedby finding oneself “too far” under the basket or being directlyunderneath the rim of the basket. From a defensive standpoint, it wouldalso be useful for a defensive player to have some indication ofsubstantially the exact lateral position of the basketball goal, whichis located overhead, relative to the playing surface.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,882,271 describes painted circles on the floor ofa court for the sole purpose of assisting a game official call offensiveor defensive fouls, as prescribed by the rules of the collegiate orprofessional game. This patent makes no mention of assisting basketballplayers gauge their position under a basketball goal or for usingpredetermined marks on the basketball court for purposes other thanassisting a referee.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide informationto assist both players on the court and spectators in the stands tojudge the position of individual players on the court relative to theposition of the basketball goal, including the backboard and the basket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Thus the present invention contemplates a method of assisting abasketball player gauge his or her position under a basketball goal,which basketball goal comprises a backboard and a basket, the basket inturn comprising a rim, the method comprising providing one or more markson a playing surface of a basketball court underneath a basketball goal,which provide a visual indication of substantially the exact lateralposition of the basket overhead. The present invention also contemplatesa method which further comprises providing one or more additional markson the playing surface which provide a visual indication ofsubstantially the exact lateral position of the backboard overhead. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the one or more marks include acircular shape, a loop, a solid circle, a series of dots or dashes,crosshairs, or combinations thereof. In one embodiment of the invention,a loop is provided which comprises a hollow or solid ring havingdimensions that substantially correspond to those of a verticalprojection of a bottom surface of a rim of the basket.

[0008] The present invention also contemplates providing one or moremarks including a rectangular shape. In a particular embodiment therectangular shape comprises a hollow or solid bar having dimensions thatsubstantially correspond to those of a vertical projection of a bottomsurface of the backboard. In a related method of the invention, whichcan provide additional cash revenues for a host team, school or owner ofa sports facility housing a basketball court, the one or more marks,e.g., the circular shape, includes a logo of a host team, a school, aconference, an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporatesponsor, or combinations thereof.

[0009] Another object of the invention is providing a playing surface ofa basketball court which includes one or more marks underneath abasketball goal comprising a backboard and a basket to assist abasketball player gauge his or her position under the basketball goal,which one or more marks provide a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral position of the basket overhead. In a preferred embodimentof the invention, one or more additional marks are included on theplaying surface which provide a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral position of the backboard overhead. As stated above, theone or more marks include but are not limited to a circular shape or arectangular shape, including a circular line or a straight line.

[0010] Yet another object of the invention is providing a visual cuelocated on the surface of a basketball court comprising one or moremarks placed underneath a basketball goal comprising a backboard and abasket, which one or more marks provide a visual indication ofsubstantially the exact lateral position of the basket overhead. In apreferred embodiment of the present invention one or more additionalmarks are included to provide a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral position of the backboard overhead.

[0011] One of ordinary skill in the art would know a number of ways toprovide the one or more marks of the present invention. Such ways mayinclude, but are not limited to, affixing or painting the one or markson the playing surface. Alternatively, the one or more marks of thepresent invention can be projected on the playing surface. In stillanother embodiment, the one or more marks of the present invention canbe integrated into the playing surface, itself, such as providing inlaidpieces or segments in the flooring material, which is typically wood.

[0012] Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those ofordinary skill after consideration of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] One of the greatest difficulties faced by a young player (usuallyof short stature) is determining his or her position on the basketballcourt relative to the basket overhead. Most frequently, the young playerwill dribble toward a basket on a fast break only to pick up his or herdribble too far from the basket or too far under the basket. If theplayer picks up the dribble too far from the basket, the player winds upattempting a jump shot instead of a lay up. If the player picks up thedribble too far under the basket, the player winds up attempting anawkward shot, frequently just skimming the surface of the backboardrather than bouncing a shot off of the backboard and into the basket. Ineither case, the player frequently misses the attempt. If on the otherhand, the player is provided with some visual indication ofsubstantially the exact position of the basketball goal, chances arethat the player will pick up the dribble at an opportune position on thebasketball court to attempt a shot. Whether the play involves a fastbreak sequence, a post up move, a pick and roll, an offensive reboundand a “put back” basket, set play, or just “making things happen” theindividual player and his or her team mates stand to benefit from thepresence of the visual cues of the present invention. But the presentinvention's benefits are not limited to assisting offensive players.Members of a team playing defense can better position themselves toprotect the baseline or the immediate area around the basket with thevisual cues of the present invention.

[0014] Accordingly, the one or more marks on the playing surface of abasketball court are positioned underneath a basketball goal, such thata player can gauge substantially the exact position of the basketoverhead. If additional one or more marks are provided on the playingsurface, the player would be able to also gauge substantially the exactposition of the backboard. Hence, one could project verticallysubstantially the exact position of the rim of the basket onto theplaying surface and mark that spot on the playing surface to provide avisual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of thebasket overhead. By the term “substantially the exact position” is meantthat the one or more marks of the invention be located on the playingsurface such that a player need not have to make an approximation of, orguess as to, the lateral position of the basket or backboard overhead;that is, the player can reasonably rely on the location of the visualcues to inform the player that the basket or backboard is positionedsubstantially directly overhead. Thus, a variation of no more than aboutsix inches, preferably a variation of less than about four inches, ormore preferably a variation of less than about two inches or lessbetween the location of the one or more marks on the playing surface andthe true vertical projection of that portion of the basketball goalsought to be “marked” or “visually indicated” can be tolerated.

[0015] The mark may include a trace of the rim of the basket or a solidcircle representing the interior space of the rim. The size of the traceor circle can be smaller or larger than the size of the rim itself, butpreferably about the same size as the rim. The trace, circle, orwhatever mark one chooses can be brightly colored or subdued, butpreferably should stand out sufficiently from the rest of the playingsurface of the painted area to provide maximum contrast. The process ofproviding the one or more marks corresponding to the position of thebackboard is similar to that of establishing the one or more marks forthe basket. For example, a rectangular bar can be provided whichcorresponds to a vertical projection of a bottom surface of thebackboard. Alternatively, a pair of marks can be established on theplaying surface, which provides a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral positions of only the far ends of the backboard.

[0016] One of ordinary skill in the art can contemplate any number oftypes of marks of various shapes and configurations, which would suitthe objectives of the present invention. For example, one might conceiveof utilizing a series of dots, spots, dashes, lines, stars and the like(even light or lights) in various sizes, shapes, colors and shades ofbrightness. One can establish or apply the one or more marks on thesurface of the basketball court by using paint, an adhesive strip, acircular sticker, or the like. One can also integrate the one or moremarks into the material comprising the playing surface. For instance,the one or more marks can be incorporated into the design of the wood orcomposite laminate comprising the playing surface.

[0017] A further illustration of the invention is provided by thefollowing working examples, which should not be construed to limit theinvention in any way.

EXAMPLES 5.1. Use of a Circular Mark on the Playing Surface

[0018] A circular solid area is painted on the playing surface at a spotdirectly underneath the rim of the basket. The size of the circularsolid area corresponds to substantially the same area inside the rim orthe size may differ, optionally being larger to accommodate a logo, forexample, or smaller but still apparent. The color is chosen to provide acontrast from the color of the “paint,” the shaded area around thebasketball goal in which an offensive player can commit a 3 secondviolation. Hence, if the shaded area is red, the circular solid markmight be painted green.

[0019] While the game is played, players maneuvering under the basketare provided with a visual indication of substantially the exactposition of the basket overhead. Hence, an offensive player can pick uphis or her dribble at a desired location under the basket without havingto look up to check his or her relative position to the basket. By thesame token, a defensive player might have a better indication of when anoffensive player dribbling the ball might pick up his or her dribble toattempt a shot. Also, a defensive player might be in a better positionusing the visual cues provided by the invention to gauge when and wherea lob pass might be thrown to set up a lay up or “alley oop” dunk.

5.2. Use of a Circular Mark with a Border

[0020] As in the previous example, a circular solid area is painted onthe playing surface at a spot directly underneath the rim of the basket.The size of the circular solid area corresponds to about the area insidethe rim or the size may differ, optionally being larger to accommodate alogo, for example, or smaller but still apparent. However, a border isprovided to define and outline the circular solid area. The color of theborder and that of the circular solid area are chosen to provide acontrast from the color of the “paint.” Hence, if the shaded area isred, the circular solid mark might be painted green and the borderblack. In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the bordersubstantially reflect those of the rim of the basket.

[0021] While the game is played, spectators are provided with additionalvisual cues of the positions of the players maneuvering on thebasketball court relative to the basket. Also, an offensive player whois able to snare an offensive rebound near the basket can becometemporarily disoriented about his position relative to the basketoverhead by the bumps and shoving that might be inflicted by defensiveplayers, not to mention their mere presence, which can block his directsight to the basket. If the offensive player elects to “put the ball onthe floor” (i.e., to dribble), he may become even more disoriented aboutwhere he might advantageously pick up his or her dribble. If he or shelooks up to find the basket, he or she could lose the ball to adefensive player. Using the visual cues provided by the presentinvention, a player can re-orient himself and his position relative tothe substantially exact lateral position of the basket overhead withouthaving to look up at the basket.

5.3. Use of a Circular Mark with a Border and Exhibiting a Logo

[0022] As in the previous example, a circular solid area is painted onthe playing surface at a spot directly underneath the rim of the basket.The size of the circular solid area corresponds to about the area insidethe rim or the size may differ, optionally being larger to accommodateon or more additional marks (in a trademark sense), for example, orsmaller but still apparent. However, a border is provided to define andoutline the circular solid area. Moreover, a logo is included anddisplayed inside the circular solid area. Any type of logo, name, orother commercial promotion can be incorporated into the circular area.The logo can be established in the form of a removable sticker, thusallowing the host team or sports facility the flexibility of changinglogos with little or no advance notice.

[0023] Other embodiments of the invention should be evident to those ofordinary skill in the art. Hence, the descriptions provided herein servesimply to illustrate the present invention and its objectives and not tosomehow limit the breadth of the invention. Any limitations of theinvention are recited only by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of assisting a basketball player gaugehis or her position under a basketball goal, which basketball goalcomprises a backboard and a basket, the method comprising providing oneor more marks on a playing surface of a basketball court underneath abasketball goal, which provide a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral position of the basket overhead.
 2. The method of claim 1which further comprises providing one or more additional marks on theplaying surface which provide a visual indication of substantially theexact lateral position of the backboard overhead.
 3. The method of claim1 in which the one or more marks include a circular shape.
 4. The methodof claim 3 in which the circular shape comprises a loop.
 5. The methodof claim 3 in which the circular shape comprises a solid circle.
 6. Themethod of claim 3 in which the circular shape comprises a series of dotsor dashes.
 7. The method of claim 3 in which the circular shape furthercomprises crosshairs.
 8. The method of claim 4 in which the loopcomprises a hollow or solid ring having dimensions that substantiallycorrespond to those of a vertical projection of a bottom surface of arim of the basket.
 9. The method of claim 2 in which the one or moremarks include a rectangular shape.
 10. The method of claim 9 in whichthe rectangular shape comprises a hollow or solid bar having dimensionsthat substantially correspond to those of a vertical projection of abottom surface of the backboard.
 11. The method of claim 3 in which thecircular shape includes a logo of a host team, a school, a conference,an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporate sponsor, orcombinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim 3 in which the circularshape is affixed or painted on the playing surface.
 13. The method ofclaim 3 in which the circular shape is projected on the playing surface.14. The method of claim 3 in which the circular shape is integrated intothe playing surface.
 15. A playing surface of a basketball court whichincludes one or more marks underneath a basketball goal comprising abackboard and a basket to assist a basketball player gauge his or herposition under the basketball goal, which one or more marks provide avisual indication of substantially the exact lateral position of thebackboard and basket overhead.
 16. The playing surface of claim 15 inwhich the one or more marks include a circular shape.
 17. The playingsurface of claim 16 in which the circular shape includes a logo of ahost team, a school, a conference, an affiliation, an association, aleague, a corporate sponsor, or combinations thereof.
 18. A visual cuelocated on the surface of a basketball court comprising one or moremarks placed underneath a basketball goal comprising a backboard and abasket, which one or more marks provide a visual indication ofsubstantially the exact lateral position of the backboard and basketoverhead.
 19. The visual cue of claim 18 in which the one or more marksinclude a circular shape.
 20. The visual cue of claim 19 in which thecircular shape includes a logo of a host team, a school, a conference,an affiliation, an association, a league, a corporate sponsor, orcombinations thereof.